Ben White booed, scores and concedes penalty as England held by Uruguay

Ben White scored his first international goal, gave away a penalty and was booed by his own fans as the England defender made an eventful return to the fold in an otherwise forgettable 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay.

The 28-year-old has not played for his country in four years and made himself unavailable for selection under Sir Gareth Southgate, having returned from the 2022 World Cup due to what the Football Association called “personal reasons”.

White was drafted into the final squad before Thomas Tuchel names his World Cup selection after an injury to Jarell Quansah and the manager’s plea for the Arsenal man to receive a positive reception was ignored by some in the Wembley crowd.

The defender was booed by supporters when introduced as England’s eighth and final substitute on Friday and jeered again even after poking home in the 81st minute.

But the drama did not stop there as White was adjudged to have fouled Federico Vinas after a VAR review, with Federico Valverde levelling from the spot in stoppage time.

It was a manic end to what will be for some the last chance to earn a spot on the plane to the World Cup, with the squad to be rejigged as more familiar faces return for Tuesday’s friendly against Japan.

Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were among the established 11-strong contingent watching from the stands ahead of joining a group that will be cut down after this match.

England boss Tuchel trialled a variety of different players, with James Garner and James Trafford making their debuts on night that started brightly, only to swiftly fizzle out.

Harry Maguire, winning his first cap in 18 months, was commanding and confident, while Dominic Solanke saw a shot blocked before seeing another easily gathered.

But the sting got taken out of proceedings after Joaquin Piquerez suffered an early injury in a tangle with Noni Madueke, leading England fans to amuse themselves by aiming paper planes at the pitch.

England comfortably dealt with Uruguay but offered little by way of threat, with a wonderful run down the left by Marcus Rashford after a Valverde effort was blocked providing a rare moment of excitement.

A dull half was compounded by an injury to Madueke, who limped off shortly after being rocked by a Rodrigo Aguirre challenge.

Uruguay’s physical play enraged Tuchel as five minutes into the second half it looked like Phil Foden may also have sustained a game-ending injury.

The incandescent German raged at the officials after Ronald Araujo’s hefty challenge somehow went unpunished, despite leaving the Manchester City man in a heap clutching his left ankle.

Foden played on for a while before Cole Palmer was introduced along Dominic Calvert-Lewin, making his first international appearance since 2021.

The Leeds striker shot into the ground and then nodded agonisingly wide when unmarked from a free-kick shortly after Tuchel made a quadruple change.

Harvey Barnes, Kobbie Mainoo and Lewis Hall were brought on, with White then entering the field to boos from England fans.

The defender’s introduction sparked a wild conclusion. White looked to have made himself the hero of the night when he arrived at the far post and prodded home after a Palmer corner was flicked on.

The goal was cleared after a VAR check for an Adam Wharton block.

Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte appeared to collect two bookings but avoided seeing red, with more drama following in stoppage time.

White was adjudged to have fouled Vinas after the referee was sent to the monitor and Valverde fired home a low stoppage-time penalty.